MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday said authorities are aiming to round up at least 1.8 million drug dependents nationwide under ''Oplan Tokhang" (Knock and Plead).

Dela Rosa told a Senate committee inquiry that this figure is based on the data of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

To date, 673,978 drug users and pushers have surrendered to the police under Tokhang, which means ''knock and plead to stop drug use."

Dela Rosa also defended Oplan Tokhang, saying the police are following operational guidelines.

This, after Senator Leila de Lima asked how the police carry out the program with no search warrants.

The sheer number of drug users turning themselves in to authorities has also posed a challenge to the government due to the lack of rehabilitation facilities.